SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Isomorphic Labs is an AI-driven drug discovery company applying frontier machine learning to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and develop life-changing medicines. The company was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on the Nobel-winning AlphaFold system, combining drug discovery expertise with machine learning to model complex biological phenomena and design novel molecules.
The Head of External Drug Discovery Operations will lead a newly established, centralised External Drug Discovery Operations group serving as the operational engine for all externalised wet-lab research across Isomorphic Labs. This is a highly impactful role bridging wet-lab execution and enterprise data strategy.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading CRO operational strategy and execution, overseeing all external drug discovery and preclinical operations, driving accountability for experimental throughput, data quality control, and end-to-end turnaround times
- Embedding AI-first data architecture by partnering with Data Engineering and Informatics to ensure external partner deliverables adhere to strict data-generation-by-design standards (standardised schemas, rich metadata capture, machine-readable formats, direct pipeline integration)
- Establishing vendor selection criteria, governance tiers, and rigorous KPIs; cultivating collaborative relationships with key CROs while enforcing deliverables and resolving bottlenecks
- Partnering across London, Boston, and Lausanne sites with Heads of Biology, Chemistry, DPC, and DMPK/Safety to forecast resourcing demands, balance internal/external capacity, and translate project milestones into actionable external work packages
- Evaluating novel platforms and technologies in collaboration with Business Development and Discovery Leadership
- Managing the external discovery budget, negotiating MSAs/rate cards, and streamlining SOW generation and invoice reconciliation with Procurement, Legal, and Finance
- Building and mentoring a talented team of CRO Scientific Leads, Operations Managers, and Compound Management professionals
The role requires leading a dedicated team and fostering a culture of technical and operational excellence with cross-functional collaboration.
Requirements:
Essential:
- Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, or related life sciences discipline
- Substantial industry track record of biopharma R&D leadership, leading external research, discovery CRO management, or externalised discovery programs within biotech or pharma
- Technical breadth and working knowledge across medicinal/synthetic chemistry, in vitro screening cascades, in vivo pharmacology, and ADMET workflows
- Data-centric operational delivery with proven experience instituting structured data collection frameworks with external vendors, including automated QC, data curation protocols, and machine-readable data transfers
- Practical experience deploying modern productivity tools and automated workflow systems to streamline external research operations
- Commercial and financial acumen with demonstrated success managing multi-million pound discovery budgets, negotiating complex vendor agreements (MSAs/SOWs), and partnering with corporate Procurement and Legal functions
- Proven track record of team leadership and influencing others in matrix structures, including recruiting, mentoring, and organising operational teams while driving alignment across cross-functional matrix leaders
- Familiarity with small molecules and complex or emerging modalities
Nice to have:
- AI-first mindset with practical experience structuring chemical and biological data streams for machine learning workflows and automated DMTA cycles
- Exposure to or interest in applying agentic AI solutions to streamline external research operations
- Experience with biologics workflows
Hybrid working: 3 days per week in office (currently Tuesday, Wednesday, and one other day).
